JOIN US FOR AN EXCHANGE OF IDEAS ABOUT THINGS HAPPENING IN OUR LOVELY CITY. FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN MAKE IT EVEN BETTER! OUR AUGUST MEETING WILL BE HELD AT Monday August 31 -- 7:00 PM Friedlander residence, 1600 8th Ave./Lawton St.           Sunset Heights Newsletter    AUGUST 2009   MINUTES OF JULY MEETING.  With this issue we begin including the minutes of the previous SHARP meeting. The meeting was held at Secretary Friedlander’s Home.    Charles Head reminded members of the upcoming SHARP Night at the Symphony.  All tickets have been sold. Our new SFPD liaison officer is Sgt. Mark Im of the Taraval Station.  He can be reached at 759-3100.  Call him for parking in your driveway and suspected marijuana growing next door—now common in the Sunset.  For trees covering traffic signs, a too common occurrence in our City, call DPW or 311. Representatives from the Inner Sunset Park Neighbors reported on the new Farmer’s market at 9th and Irving on Sunday mornings. Dennis Minnick reported on progress on the new building.  The interior work should be starting soon.  We appear to have a good contractor. The proposed new building at 9th & Irving, upon which we had a report, has run into some delays. Deputy State Attorney General Jeremy Friedlander briefly reported on his experience pleading a case before the U.S. Supreme Court.  He covered some differences between different courts, the justices, and the manner in which the Court business is conducted. U.S. SENATOR BOXER.  In her July 29th newsletter Senator announced that our City would be receiving $16,562,750 in federal funding to hire 50 officers for the coming 3 years.  But consider (a) the recruiting and training of 50 officers will take some time, (b) in 3 years the money is gone, and (c) overtime in the SFPD is still a problem SENATOR YEE.  The Senator’s August newsletter reported that he voted against cuts in education, social services, and health care.  However, at this time the California State budget is now a matter of law, albeit under legal challenge by members of the legislature.  For some good points on how the state’s economy ended up where it has I suggest several articles in the August 9th Chronicle “Insight” section.  Quite enlightening.  Senator Yee continues his crusade to “get a handle” on the UC Board of Regents and their uncontrolled spending. SUPERVISOR ELSBERND.  The main item in our District Supervisor’s July 29 newsletter was his explanation of the Board of Supes pulling the $368 million General Obligation (GO) Bond off of the ballot.  This bond was supposed to fund street resurfacing and road repairs. He does not directly mention the “hidden costs” of bonds, the interest payments that continue for a bond’s life.  With the City’s current credit rating these bonds could have a quite high interest rate.  Nor does he mention that State Gas Tax funds are also given to the City for such work; but this City has a practice of diverting even dedicated funds according to the political winds. And how did our Dept. of Public Works come up with $368 million?  Why not a neat $400 million?  In any event all of us must tolerate pot holes and rough streets for some time to come.  Avoid streets like Bush Street and Oak Street at all costs!      He also mentions SFMTA’s St. Francis Circle Rail Replacement Project and the public meetings to be held over the coming year by his office.  We hope to have a speaker from SFMTA speak to our group regarding this project since it will involve some major traffic detours and disruptions at the edge of our club area. “FLOATING STOPS.”  On August 10, 2009 I was stopped by an officer of the UCSF Police Department (?) for not coming to a complete stop at 6th and Kirkham.  The officer did not give me a citation, only a warning.  But the incident emphasized what I’ve been seeing all over the City: the de rigueur practice of coasting through stop signs and when turning slowing down only enough to make the turn.  While a danger it also represents some of the lackadaisical attitude so prevalent these days.  I urge Capt. Chignell to direct his troops to be on the lookout for these scofflaws.  If nothing else it will build up our General Fund—see above. METERS IN GG PARK.  Certain elements in City Hall are at it again, or is it yet?  They think traffic meters in GG Park would be a great means of reducing the City’s budget deficit.  SHARP remains opposed to such a practice and will keep you informed of future meetings on the subject.    PEDESTRIAN SAFETY.  As I promised in our last issue I will be covering what the California Vehicle Code (CVC) states about every pedestrian’s obligations with regard to his or her safety on and along public roads and streets in California.  Here is the first installment: Too many of us, particularly those in the “senior” category, have the misconception that the “Pedestrian Always Has the Right of Way.”  Following this philosophy has too often resulted in serious injury or death.  Let’s examine how this matter is set forth in the California Vehicle Code (CVC).  Most of us see only a small portion of this rather voluminous publication when we study for our vehicle driver’s license examinations.  Further, this examination is mainly directed towards your ability to drive a vehicle rather your ability as a pedestrian to cross streets safely. The following information is from the 2009 CVC as available on the Internet (dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/vc/vc.htm).  These are actual extracts from the CVC.  The CVC does sometimes use rather convoluted language so I have attempted to put it into plain language where possible from my background as a retired Caltrans traffic engineer.  The number preceding all of these CVC extracts is the CVC Section number.  Text in italics is my interpretations and comments.  Please note that the CVC addresses the responsibilities of both vehicles and pedestrians as regards pedestrian safety.  I will for the most part emphasize only those responsibilities assigned to pedestrians while assuming that drivers are being responsible and complying with the CVC.  But as a pedestrian you should not assume this! First, it is good to know that the State Legislature appreciated the need for pedestrian safety and convenience when they enacted the following declaration: Legislative Declaration: Pedestrians 21949.  (a) The Legislature hereby finds and declares that it is the policy of the State of California that safe and convenient pedestrian travel and access, whether by foot, wheelchair, walker, or stroller, be provided to the residents of the state. (b) In accordance with the policy declared under subdivision (a), it is the intent of the Legislature that all levels of government in the state, particularly the Department of Transportation, work to provide convenient and safe passage for pedestrians on and across all streets and highways, increase levels of walking and pedestrian travel, and reduce pedestrian fatalities and injuries. Next, let’s see how the CVC defines a pedestrian.  467.  (a) A “pedestrian” is a person who is afoot or who is using any of the following: (1) A means of conveyance propelled by human power other than a bicycle. (2) An electric personal assistive mobility device. (b) “Pedestrian” includes a person who is operating a self-propelled wheelchair, motorized tricycle, or motorized quadricycle and, by reason of physical disability, is otherwise unable to move about as a pedestrian, as specified in subdivision (a). It appears that persons on skateboards, skates, Segways and scooters are all recognized as pedestrians.  But in the event you are a senior who enjoys skateboardin or roller skating, consider the following: Skateboards: Prohibitions 21967.  Except as provided in Section 21968, a local authority may adopt rules and regulations by ordinance or resolution prohibiting or restricting persons from riding or propelling skateboards on highways, sidewalks, or roadways. and, Local Regulation of Roller Skating 21969.  A local authority may adopt rules and regulations by ordinance regulating persons engaged in roller skating on a highway, sidewalk, or roadway. This indicates that a local authority can enact and enforce a prohibition on the use of skateboards and roller skates on sidewalks, regardless of the CVC. In the CVC you will find the terms “Right-of-way” and “Yield” used frequently.  What do these terms mean?  Right-of-way "Right-of-way" is the privilege of the immediate use of the highway. See Section 21950 (b) below which in effect states that a pedestrian cannot simply step off the curb and expect oncoming vehicles to stop! Yield  The CVC does not define this term that ir so widely uses but from the dictionary it “yield” means to give up or surrender.  So to yield the right-of-way simply means to allow a vehicle to cross in front of you.  See Section 21954 (a) below and understand that when crossing a street other than at a crosswalk you must avoid oncoming vehicles by getting out of their way.  Common sense, right? Then, how is an intersection defined? 365.  An "intersection" is the area embraced within the prolongations of the lateral curb lines, or, if none, then the lateral boundary lines of the roadways, of two highways which join one another at approximately right angles or the area within which vehicles traveling upon different highways joining at any other angle may come in conflict. In simpler words, an intersection is where two streets or roads join or meet.  This can occur at various angles, but the most common is a right angle.  The number of legs also varies from three for a “T” intersection to five or six, five as is the case at St. Francis Circle.  In this discussion, the term “controlled intersection” refers to an intersection where traffic is controlled by a traffic signal ( “an official traffic control signa)l,” a stop sign, or a yield sign.  An “uncontrolled intersection” refers to an intersection where no such traffic control exists. Next, how is a crosswalk defined? 275.   "Crosswalk" is either: (a) That portion of a roadway included within the prolongation or connection of the boundary lines of sidewalks at intersection where the intersecting roadways meet at approximately right angles, except the prolongation of such lines from an alley across a street. (b) Any portion of a roadway distinctly indicated for pedestrian crossing by lines or other markings on the surface. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, there shall not be a crosswalk where local authorities have placed signs indicating no crossing. This definition is a bit involved in that it had to cover the “unmarked crosswalk” in (a) and the “marked crosswalk” in (b).  The unmarked crosswalk can be the result of intentional omission of a crosswalk as is done in some public agencies.  This omission was done because the agency found that pedestrians put too much faith in the painted lines as a safety measure.  In the case of San Francisco many crosswalk markings have either worn off or were never installed due to light traffic.  What do you do when there are no sidewalks?  Prolong the curb lines as one side of the crosswalk.  At an alley no crosswalk is considered to be in place.  Establishment of Crosswalks 21106.  (a) Local authorities, by ordinance or resolution, may establish crosswalks between intersections. (b) Local authorities may install signs at or adjacent to an intersection directing that pedestrians shall not cross in a crosswalk indicated at the intersection. It is unlawful for any pedestrian to cross at the crosswalk prohibited by a sign. In the absence of a marked or unmarked crosswalk does not give a pedestrian the right to “jaywalk”.  And what do we mean by jaywalk?  The CVC defines the practice without using the common term “jaywalk” as: Pedestrians Outside Crosswalks 21954.  (a) Every pedestrian upon a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway so near as to constitute an immediate hazard. (b) The provisions of this section shall not relieve the driver of a vehicle from the duty to exercise due care for the safety of any pedestrian upon a roadway.     Crossing Between Controlled Intersections 21955.  Between adjacent intersections controlled by traffic control signal devices or by police officers, pedestrians shall not cross the roadway at any place except in a crosswalk. Local Regulation of Pedestrians 21961.  This chapter does not prevent local authorities from adopting ordinances prohibiting pedestrians from crossing roadways at other than crosswalks. That pretty well covers it and then some.  Note that you may be cited for crossing a roadway other than at a crosswalk.  More importantly, this practice exposes a pedestrian to danger and should be avoided.  Then are intersections where the layout of the intersection and the operation of the traffic signals are such that a particular crosswalk(s) may be closed by a sign [NO CROSSWALK] with an arrow and a physical baricade.  [See CVC Section 21106 (b) above.]   A pedestrian bypassing this barricade and crossing the street exposes himself/herself to the risk of being hit as well as being cited.  Use the crosswalk indicated by the arrow. Now let’s see how to use this information.  First, the basic issue:  Right-of-Way at Crosswalks 21950.  (a) The driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.  (b) This section does not relieve a pedestrian from the duty of using due care for his or her safety. No pedestrian may suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle that is so close as to constitute an immediate hazard. No pedestrian may unnecessarily stop or delay traffic while in a marked or unmarked crosswalk. (c) The driver of a vehicle approaching a pedestrian within any marked or unmarked crosswalk shall exercise all due care and shall reduce the speed of the vehicle or take any other action relating to the operation of the vehicle as necessary to safeguard the safety of the pedestrian.ssssss (d) Subdivision (b) does not relieve a driver of a vehicle from the duty of exercising due care for the safety of any pedestrian within any marked crosswalk or within any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection. Essentially this section sets forth the obligations of both pedestrians and drivers as regards pedestrian safety at intersections.  In essence, (a) states that a person who is jaywalking must yield to vehicles.  Of particular importance is (b) which states that a pedestrian cannot suddenly step off of the curb and assume that he/she has the right-of-way.  Neither can a pedestrian move so slowly in a crosswalk as to delay traffic.  Did you know that?  Also, Vehicles Stopped for Pedestrians 21951.  Whenever any vehicle has stopped at a marked crosswalk or at any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass the stopped vehicle. Section 21951 is included not because it applies to pedestrians but more importantly to remind pedestrians crossing in front of a stopped vehicle to be alert to a vehicle that may not comply with this section and may be passing the stopped vehicle on either side. Next month I’ll cover a pedestrian’s responsibilities at intersections with traffic signals.   Editor’s Note: If you have any information or thoughts you would like included in the newsletter please mail or e-mail it to me at this address: Vern Waight, Editor, Phone: (415) 564-7760,  Email: vernatsf@aol.com Address: 1711 10th Avenue San Francisco, CA 94122-4625   Renew Your Membership or Join SHARP The Sunset Heights Association of Responsible People (SHARP) is a 100+ year old neighborhood organization open to anyone who lives or works in the area bounded by Lincoln Blvd, 7th Ave-Laguna Honda, Dewey-Taraval, and 19th Avenue.  We are a member-supported organization devoted to neighborhood improvement, with dues set at $10 per person annually.  Please renew your membership for 2009 and 2010 or join us by filling out and returning the coupon below.   Mail Coupon to:  SHARP, 1661 7th Avenue San Francisco, CA 94122 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Name: _______________________________________ Address: _____________________________________ City: __________________________ ZIP: ___________ Email: ________________________________________ Phone: _______________________________________